Check Against Delivery

I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this matter.

I would like to begin by again emphasising that irrespective of any differences of opinion, no-one disputes the magnitude of this tragedy or the impact it had on the families concerned and on the wider community. We are all conscious that the 34^th anniversary of the fire falls this weekend and that this must be a particularly difficult time of year for all affected.

As the Deputy will be aware, following a long campaign on the part of the victims, Mr. Paul Coffey SC was appointed in 2008, with the agreement of the Stardust Victims’ Committee, to review the case made by the Committee for a new inquiry into the fire. Mr. Coffey publicly invited submissions from all interested parties and the Committee gave extensive oral evidence and made written submissions as to their case for a new inquiry. Mr. Coffey’s report concluded that, in the absence of any identified evidence as to the cause of the fire, the most another inquiry could achieve would be another set of hypothetical findings, which would not be in the public interest.

While Mr. Coffey’s findings were widely welcomed at the time, there has continued to be dissatisfaction which has given rise to extensive correspondence and communications from the Committee and their representatives to my Department and other agencies. In these communications the Committee has continued to argue for the validity of an alternative hypothesis as to cause of the fire.

I met with representatives of the Stardust Victims’ Committee in July last year and this meeting provided me with an opportunity to hear their concerns at first hand. With regard to the question of any new evidence that might warrant the consideration of a further inquiry, two reports compiled by a researcher associated with the Committee were submitted to my Department last year. My Department was given to understand that a further third, and final, report would be submitted in due course. However, no final report was submitted and the researcher concerned requested the return of the two reports that had been submitted. In compliance with this request, the reports were returned to the researcher concerned. My Department has, through the Stardust Victims Committee, requested that the decision to withdraw these reports be reconsidered.

I have the greatest sympathy for all those affected by the fire, and understand of course that those involved in the Committee remain convinced that their explanation for what happened on the night is in fact what did occur. As I have outlined, my Department has requested that the decision to withdraw these Reports be reconsidered. If these, or any other submissions, are received, they will of course be examined in detail and a response issued to the Committee in due course.

I should also say that allegations raised by the Stardust Victims Committee and their representatives in relation to certain matters are the subject of an ongoing investigation by An Garda Síochána. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner, that this is a complex investigation and, as the Deputy will understand, I cannot do anything that might cut across this investigation.

It is right, of course, that concerns about this dreadful and tragic event should be raised in this House and I again thank the Deputy for raising this matter.

ENDS